Brexit will not affect recruitment of qualified employee - Survey

Recent survey carried out on top decision-makers from various firms reveals that about two-fifths are optimistic that Brexit will have a positive effect on recruitment against the pessimistic believe coming from some quarters.

Accordingly, recruiters in the UK are very optimistic that even after the UK leaves the EU, they will still be able to have qualified persons employed into their firms, despite the fact about 30% of the UK workforce comes from the EU.

The recent survey was done by skills organisation City and Guilds, where it took a sample of 500 senior decision-makers from large companies across a range of UK economic sectors, including construction, education and the financial industry.

According to the outcome of the survey, 26% were of the view that leaving the EU would not have any influence on their ability to find and hire competent employees, while more than two-fifths (42%) went further and said they expected it to have a positive effect on recruitment.

This is despite 18% of respondents reporting that they rely on EU staff for more than half of their workforce at present, and almost nine out of 10 (87%) agreeing that they currently have trouble finding the right staff to fill vacant positions.

The rate of confidence was very high in London, with almost half of the capital's employers predicting a positive impact on hiring post-Brexit.

Kirstie Donnelly, managing director of City and Guilds, said that the results were heartening in a time of great uncertainty in the UK economy.

"Of course, we still don't know what is going to happen, but it's encouraging to see optimism among employers," she said.

"I hope this means that more and more employers are planning to harness 'home-grown skills' thanks to the Government's drive to increase the number apprenticeships in the UK."

The report comes as many MPs express concern regarding the future of EU citizens already living and working in Britain, after the Government's Brexit Bill passed in the House of Commons last week without any amendments to protect their right to stay.

But Prime Minister Theresa May insisted that she would be able to secure an agreement with European leaders regarding those already in the country once Brexit negotiations formally begin.